The Double Life of My Pregnant Ex-Wife (Carmen and Marco) novel Chapter 26

Marco stood alone in the cavernous dining room of the Venetti estate, staring out the window as dark clouds gathered over the distant horizon. The air was heavy, the stillness oppressive, and yet his mind buzzed with thoughts he couldn’t quiet. The documents had planted a seed—a poisonous little thing that grew roots of doubt and suspicion no matter how hard he tried to rip it out.

Arianna had been at his side through everything, steady and sure when the rest of his world began to crumble. And yet… Those files. He couldn’t unsee them. The handwriting, the coded records, the ties to the De Lucas—how could so much smoke exist without fire?

“Marco?” Arianna’s voice interrupted his thoughts, pulling him back into the room.

He turned slightly to see her standing in the doorway, dressed immaculately as always. She held a glass of wine in her hand, though the faint tension in her shoulders betrayed her otherwise composed demeanor. She smiled softly as she approached, though Marco noticed how carefully she measured each step, as if testing the waters.

“I’ve barely seen you today,” she said gently, stopping just a few feet away. “Something on your mind?”

Marco regarded her for a moment, weighing his words. Finally, he said, “There’s a lot on my mind these days.”

Arianna tilted her head, her smile never wavering. “That much I know. But you look troubled, Marco. More than usual.”

“I’ve been hearing things,” he said slowly, watching her closely. “Things I don’t like.”

Her brow furrowed just slightly—enough to appear genuine, concerned. “What kind of things?”

“Rumors,” Marco continued, his voice careful. “Deals, alliances. Moves being made behind my back.”

“From whom?” Arianna asked, her voice soft but edged with quiet steel.

He hesitated, unwilling to give away too much. “It doesn’t matter where I heard it. What matters is whether it’s true.”

Arianna moved closer, setting the wine glass gently on a side table as she searched his face. “Marco, what are you saying? Do you think I’ve betrayed you?”

The question hung in the air like a weight. Marco said nothing, his silence deliberate. He wanted to see her reaction.

Arianna exhaled sharply, shaking her head. “I can’t believe this. After everything, you’re doubting me now?” She stepped back, arms crossing as her expression hardened. “Whoever’s been whispering in your ear is lying to you. Can’t you see that? Someone is trying to turn you against me.”

Marco’s jaw tightened. “And why would they do that?”

“To weaken you. To weaken us.” Arianna’s voice sharpened as she spoke, her frustration clear. “Think about it, Marco. Who gains the most from you distrusting me? Who’s been feeding these rumors?”

He frowned, watching her carefully.

“Vincent Rossi,” she said finally, her voice dropping into a soft, venomous whisper. “And Carmen.”

Marco flinched at the mention of Carmen’s name, his expression darkening. Arianna saw the flicker of anger and pressed forward.

“They’re working together,” Arianna said, her tone both urgent and careful. “Haven’t you wondered why she’s stayed so quiet? Why she ran to Vincent of all people? She’s feeding him information—plotting with him to undermine you. They’re the ones planting false leads, Marco. They’re the ones trying to tear you apart.”

Marco turned away, pacing toward the window as his fists clenched. “You don’t know that.”

“Yes, I do,” Arianna said firmly, following him. “Look at the timing, Marco. Every failure we’ve suffered lately, every step the De Lucas have made—it all started when Carmen disappeared. You said it yourself: she knows this family’s operations better than anyone. And Vincent? He’s been waiting for years to make his move.”

Marco’s shoulders tensed as his mind spun. He didn’t want to believe it—couldn’t believe it—but the anger he’d carried for weeks threatened to resurface. Carmen had run to Vincent. She had stayed silent, hidden away while his empire crumbled.

“Marco,” Arianna’s voice softened again, her hand resting lightly on his arm. “I’m on your side. I’m the one fighting to hold this family together. Don’t let them turn you against me. Don’t let them win.”